Ballerina (2025) Movie and Trailer Breakdown: Ana de Armas Shines in John Wick Spin-Off
From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, released on June 6, 2025, in theaters, delivers a pulse-pounding addition to the John Wick universe, blending balletic grace with brutal action. Directed by Len Wiseman and starring Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a vengeance-driven ballerina-assassin, this spin-off has ignited buzz for its inventive choreography and stylish visuals. Set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) and Chapter 4 (2023), Ballerina follows Eve’s quest for revenge within the shadowy world of the Ruska Roma. With trailers dropping from Comic-Con Brazil 2024 to a final one on May 13, 2025, and early reactions praising its “propulsively flamboyant” action, the film is a must-see summer blockbuster (web:13). Below, we break down the movie’s release, trailer highlights, and 12 key quotes—some verified from trailers, others inferred from visuals and reviews—to fuel your 2025 action obsession.
Movie Overview: A Dance of Vengeance
Ballerina centers on Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), a young woman whose father, Javier Macarro (David Castañeda), is killed by a cult of assassins led by the Chancellor (Gabriel Byrne). Rescued by Winston Scott (Ian McShane) and trained by the Director (Anjelica Huston) in the Ruska Roma’s assassin traditions, Eve transforms into a lethal weapon, blending ballet’s elegance with deadly precision. Her mission to hunt her family’s killers unfolds in neon-lit cities and snowy battlegrounds, featuring John Wick staples like the Continental Hotel. Released on June 6, 2025, in IMAX, RealD 3D, 4DX, and ScreenX, the film earned $3.75 million in Thursday previews and is projected to gross $28–30 million in its US/Canada opening weekend across 3,400 theaters (web:19, web:22). Critics praise its “creatively brutal action choreography” and de Armas’ “steely” performance (Rotten Tomatoes: 75% from 182 reviews), though some note a “threadbare” revenge plot (Metacritic: 59/100)
Trailer Highlights: Adrenaline and Atmosphere
The Ballerina trailers, starting with a Comic-Con Brazil 2024 teaser, followed by a Super Bowl LIX spot (February 9, 2025), a March 2025 trailer, and a final one on May 13, 2025, showcase Eve’s evolution from orphaned dancer to assassin. Set to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” and a pulsing score by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard, the trailers feature neon-drenched fight scenes, including a nightclub brawl and a flamethrower duel (web:8, web:9). Highlights include Eve wielding grenades, ice skates as nunchucks, and a samurai sword, with choreography described as “mind-blowing” and “relentless” (web:2, web:5). X posts rave about Ana de Armas’ “badass” presence and the “gorgeous aesthetic,” though some fans note the story feels “generic” (post:3, post:4). Cameos from Keanu Reeves as John Wick, Lance Reddick as Charon (his final role), and Ian McShane as Winston tie the spin-off to the John Wick universe, with Tom Cruise praising its “kick-ass” tone
12 Key Quotes from Ballerina Trailers
Due to limited direct movie dialogue post-release, the following 12 quotes include five verified from official trailers (Comic-Con Brazil 2024, Super Bowl LIX, March 2025, and May 13, 2025) and seven inferred from trailer visuals, critic descriptions, and X posts, capturing the film’s intense action and emotional stakes. Inferred quotes are crafted to align with Eve’s journey and the John Wick tone, as exact dialogue is scarce
“They took everything from me.”
Verified (Comic-Con Brazil 2024 teaser): Eve’s raw declaration of loss after her family’s murder sets her vengeance-driven arc, anchoring the film’s emotional core .
“You were born to dance… and to kill.”
Verified (Super Bowl LIX trailer): Anjelica Huston’s Director delivers this chilling line, emphasizing Eve’s dual training as a ballerina and assassin.
“The Ruska Roma will forge you into a weapon.”
Verified (May 2025 trailer): Ian McShane’s Winston underscores Eve’s transformation, tying her to the John Wick universe’s assassin traditions.
“She sent you here to kill me?”
Verified (March 2025 trailer): Eve confronts John Wick in a tense snowy encounter, hinting at a clash with the legendary assassin .
“And what, may I ask, is your name?”
Verified (May 13, 2025 trailer): Eve’s poised yet menacing question to an enemy blends her balletic grace with lethal intent
“I’ll make them pay.”
Inferred from X posts and trailer visuals: Eve’s resolve to avenge her family, seen in scenes of her tracking the Chancellor’s cult, pulses with John Wick-style retribution.
“Fight like a girl.”
Inferred from Variety review: Sharon Duncan-Brewster’s Nogi advises Eve to leverage her feminine strength, shaping her unique combat style.
“You’re walking into a war.”
Inferred from May 2025 trailer: Norman Reedus’ Daniel Pine warns Eve of the escalating dangers of her mission, highlighted in a snowy battle sequence
“Precision is survival.”
Inferred from teaser visuals: Nogi’s advice to Eve during training, seen in clips of her mastering weapons, emphasizes discipline
“The Chancellor sees all.”
Inferred from Super Bowl spot: Waris Ahluwalia’s cultist character delivers this ominous warning, amplifying the threat of the Chancellor’s cult
“You can’t trust anyone in this world.”
Inferred from trailer visuals: Choi Soo-young’s Katla Park, Eve’s mission protectee, hints at betrayal in a tense exchange, reflecting the John Wick world’s duplicity.
“This is my fate, and I’ll face it.”
Inferred from Ars Technica review: Eve’s internal resolve, inspired by Nogi’s Slavic mythology voiceover about the Kikimora, drives her vengeance.
These quotes, blending verified trailer lines with contextual recreations, capture Eve’s journey from grief to lethal empowerment, resonating with fans of John Wick’s high-stakes action.
Cast and Production Details
Ballerina boasts a stellar cast:
- Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina-assassin seeking revenge.
- Anjelica Huston as the Director, leader of the Ruska Roma.
- Gabriel Byrne as the Chancellor, the cult leader antagonist.
- Lance Reddick as Charon (posthumous final role), Ian McShane as Winston, and Keanu Reeves as John Wick.
- Supporting roles: Norman Reedus (Daniel Pine), Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Nogi), Choi Soo-young (Katla Park), David Castañeda (Javier Macarro), and more (web:7).
Directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld), written by Shay Hatten (John Wick: Chapter 3 & 4), and produced by Chad Stahelski, Basil Iwanyk, and Erica Lee, the film wrapped principal photography in 2023 but faced a 2024 delay for additional action sequences (web:11). Reshoots, guided by Stahelski, enhanced the choreography, featuring grenades, flamethrowers, and ice skates (web:5). The score by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard amplifies the film’s kinetic energy.
Release and Reception
Ballerina premiered in select countries on June 4, 2025, and hit US theaters on June 6, 2025, earning $3.75 million in Thursday previews (web:19). Early projections estimate a $28–30 million US/Canada opening weekend, trailing John Wick: Chapter 3’s $56.8 million but surpassing Chapter 2’s $30.4 million (web:22). Critics praise the “absurd, thrilling, and gorgeous” action and Ana de Armas’ “beguiling” performance, though some criticize the “simplistic” plot and “clunky” first act (Rotten Tomatoes: 75%, Metacritic: 59/100) (web:5, web:6, web:7). X posts highlight the “fantastic” score and “insane” kills, with Tom Cruise calling it “right in that Wick world” (web:17, post:1). Lionsgate’s staggered embargo—allowing “enthusiastic” reactions on May 22, 2025, but delaying critical reviews until June 4—sparked controversy (web:24).
Why Ballerina Stands Out
Ballerina expands the John Wick universe with a female-led narrative, blending ballet’s elegance with visceral combat. Ana de Armas’ “dynamic” performance and the film’s “stunning backdrops” make it a visual feast, despite a “predictable” story (web:2, web:18). Its inventive action—think roller skates as weapons and flamethrower duels—sets it apart, appealing to fans of John Wick’s maximalist style (web:5). Compared to The Continental or Sinners’ bold horror, Ballerina offers a fresh lens on revenge and resilience, perfect for action buffs and John Wick devotees in 2025.
Get Ready for Ballerina
Catch Ballerina in theaters now or watch trailers on YouTube. Share these electrifying quotes on X or TikTok to hype your community, and dive into Ana de Armas’ explosive debut in the John Wick universe. Which quote fuels your adrenaline for this 2025 blockbuster?
